Retinal Detachment
What are the symptoms?
People often describe seeing something black or a curtain in their vision. The sudden appearance of floaters and flashing lights requires a full eye examination to exclude the presence of retinal tears that can result in a retinal detachment if left untreated.
What are the causes?
Nearly all retinal detachments develop because of a hole or tear in the retina. This usually occurs when the retina becomes "thin", especially in short sighted people or as the vitreous pulls on the retina. Other eye or health problems such as diabetes, cataract surgery and injury such as a blow to the eye, can occasionally be the cause of a retinal detachment.
What is the Treatment?
For a retinal hole or tear
To seal the retina around the tear and prevent the retina peeling off, you may be asked to have one of the following procedures:
LASER- the retinal hole can be heat sealed (like spot welding) by directing a laser beam of light through the pupil of the eye. The scare produced seals the hole.
CRYOTHERAPY - is freezing treatment applied by a pen-shaped probe to the outside of the eye. This freezes through to the retinal hole and, as with laser treatment, promotes scar tissue as a seal.
For a detached retina
The treatment involves surgery. Retinal holes can be sealed by applying ‘splints' on the wall of the eye. These ‘splints' are made of sponge or solid silicone material. They are placed under the skin of the eye and generally stay there permanently. They are not generally noticeable to other people.
VITRECTOMY- the retina can also be re-attached from the inside. This operation involves removing the vitreous (the jelly-like substance) and replacing it with a clear substance (gas or silicone oil). This closes off the break in the retina from the inside. The vitreous is cut and sucked out by using very fine instruments and an operating microscope. Tiny stitches are used to close the wound and do not need removal.
What are the benefits and risks of surgery?
The most obvious benefits are prevention of blindness and restoration of vision. You have already lost some sight as a result of the retinal detachment. Successful surgery will bring back some, but not all your sight.
Surgery for retinal detachment is however, not always successful. Every patient is different and retinal detachments vary in their complexity. It is important to appreciate that some patients require more than one operation. Your surgeon will advise you individually of the chances of success with the operation you are about to receive.
You should also be aware that there is a small risk of complications, either during or after the operation. These will be explained by your consultant at your consultation
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| B08000603 |
